Reel driving and control mechanism



May 19, 1953 J. w. wooLF 'REEL DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb, 2e.' 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l ...huuuwllun ullrhn H www ,my @m In@ m d J May 19, 1953 J. w. wooLF REEL DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1947 [aww/vn c/ms ZZ W002i.

.whs 35% RS.

QNRSQ May 19, 1953 J, w. WOOLF 2,639,336

REEL DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANIVSM Filed Feb. 26, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 19, 1953 REEL DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM James W. Woolf, Franklin, Pa., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 26, 1947, Serial No. 731,121

17 Claims. 1

My invention relates to reel driving and control mechanisms, and more particularly to reel driving and control mechanisms associated with self-propelled vehicles.

It is customary to provide mine locomotives and shuttle cars with cable winding reels upon which substantial lengths of electric cable are wound, so that these vehicles may operate at points separated by substantial distances from the ends of the trolley wires in mine passageways. Drives for such reels have included provision for causing the winding in of the cable under a relatively high tension when the vehicle moves towards the point of connection of the extremity of the cable which can be pulled off of the reel, and provision has also been made, as in the John D. Russell application, Ser. No. 552,536, led September 2, 1944, and since issued on June 14, 1949, as Patent No. 2,472,850, for enabling cable to be drawn off of the reel under a lesser tension when it is necessary for the vehicle to move away from the point of attachment of the cable, this latter provision being accomplished, in accordance with the specific disclosure of said Russell application, by variation in the position of a sheave-carrying arm from which the cable passes from the vehicle to the point of attachment.

It is desirable that when the vehicle is standing still, with power shut off from its wheeldriving motors and the reel stationary, resistance shall be in series with the armature of the reel driving motor, thereby to reduce heating. Moreover, it is desirable that whenever either of the forward or reverse starting switches for the propelling motor or motors is moved towards closed position, assuming that the vehicle is still stationary, full torque shall be applied by the reel driving motor to the reel, so that in the event that the vehicle is to be moved in the direction where winding in will be necessary the cable shall be under the desired tension immediately upon the starting movement of the vehicle. Depending upon the relation of the vehicle to the point of cable attachment closing of either switch may cause the vehicle to move in a direction to require winding up of the cable. It is, moreover, desirable that arrangements be provided so that in the event that the truck wheels start to rotate in such a direction as to occasion the drawing oi cable oi of the reel, there shall immediately be effected a reinsertion of the resistance in the reel driving motor circuit, so that as cable is drawn off of the reel it may be drawn oi under a reduced tension. It is further desirable that in the event that the vehicle shall (Cl. ISH-12.2)

be allowed to coast with both of the operator controlled starting switches for the propulsion motors in open position, there shall be established, unless the vehicle be coasting in a direction to cause unwinding of the cable, a circuit which shall cause the reel driving motor to exert its higher torque, and it is desirable, with respect to this arrangement, that if the vehicle shall coast in a direction to necessitate the drawing of cable off of the reel, the torque of the reel driving motor shall be automatically reduced.

A desirable arrangement for controlling the reel driving motor of a vehicle of the type described and for assuring the application of adequate torque to the reel driving motor when a winding in operation is necessary and a reduction in the torque exerted by the reel driving motor when cable is to be drawn off of the reel may, according to my invention, include a circuit for connecting the reel driving motor, with resistance in series with its armature, to the power lines when the main line switch through which power is transmitted to the vehicle is closed, a solenoid control switch closable to cut out the resistance in series with the armature, as by short-circuiting such resistance, and means for controlling the supply of current to such solenoid including switch devices closable to eiect the supply of current to said solenoid prior to and concurrently with the supply of current to the vehicle propulsion motors, switch means controlled by the direction of rotation of the reel and arranged in the circuits controlled by said forward and reverse switch devices and operative to interrupt such circuits if the reel is turned in an unwinding direction but when the reel is stationary or turning in a, winding in direction maintaining circuit connections so that said forward and reverse switch devices can establish and maintain circuits through said solenoid, and further switch means closed whenever the wheels of the vehicle are turning for establishing connections parallel to the connections established by said forward and reverse switch devices so that even when the vehicle is coasting in a direction in which there would be danger of the cable being run over full torque will be applied to the reel driving motor, even though both said forward and said reverse switch devices are open. It is an object of my invention to provide an improved reel driving and control mechanism. It is another object of my invention to provide an improved reel driving and control mechanism for self-propelled vehicles having improved control means including switch devices associated with with the propulsion motor control and switch means governed by vehicle wheel rotation for establishing parallel circuits for .controllingreel driving motor torque, whereby both during vpropulsion and during coastingthe ,torque of lSaid reel driving motor may be suitably controlled. .A

further object of my invention is to provide an improved reel driving and control mechanism for.

self-propelled vehicles having improved control means including switch `rneans governed 4by vehicle wheel rotation and .switch means governed by the direction of reel rotation ifor providing control during coasting of the torque exerted. by the reel driving motor. Still another `object f my invention is to provide an improved reel driving and control mechanism forself-propelled vehicles having improved control meansincludihg switch devices associated with the propulsion m0- tor control, and switch means governed. ,by vehicle Wheel rotation forestablishing parallel circuits forV controlling thetorque exerted by the reel driving motor, ,and further including in each of said circuits, switch meansgoverned `,by the direction of reel rotation, whereby both vduring propulsion and coasting .and during winding in and unwinding of cable andregardless vof the direction of operation of the vehicle, the torque of the reel driving motor maybe properly controlled. Otherv objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawinga'in which for purposes of illustration one embodiment of my inventionl is shown,

Fig. l isa plan view of a shuttle car, to illustrate relations of parts.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View or an `apparatus in which my invention is incorporated.

Fig. 3 is `a central section showing a switch mechanism forestablishing a circuit whenever the vehiclevwheels are turning.

Fig. llis an end View of` the switch mechanism of Fig. 3, with cap removed.

Fig. 5 is an end view of a directional switch controlled by the `direction ofreel rotation and having operating mechanism similar to the structure of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, and first to Fig. l, there may be noted ,a shuttle car S having supporting wheels W adapted to be driven by motors A and B. There is a cable reel I mounted. on the vehicle and having a cable CABLE wound upon it. The cable reel l is suitably driven'by a motor C and connections not shownbut` oi' a .conventional character, conduct current from the cable reel to the controls which are grouped about and at the operators seats OS. The shuttle `car,has a flight conveyor F driven by a motor FM. Other details need not be considered at this time.`

Referring next to Fig. 2, there will be observed at i' the cable reeland at 2 and 3 power conductors which are electrically connected by conventional means not shown to the cable CABLE wound on the reel i. A main line switch l having contact elements 5 and 6 is vadapted to connect, when it is closed, the conductor 2 with a conductor l and the conductor 3 with a conduc- .propulsion effecting These are conventionally illustrated and each of 4 tor 8. The vehicle has three motors with `which we are now concerned, the motors, A, B and C. The motor FM for the drive of the conveyor need not be here considered. The propulsion motors A and B have armatures Aa and Ba and series elds Af and Bf. The motor C, which drives the reel l, has a shunt eld Cf. Each oi the motors A and B has reversing means associated with it, the motor A having a switch mechanism AF clcsable to eiect forward propulsion and another switch mechanism AR, closable to eil'ect rearward propulsion. The motor B has a forward propulsion effecting switch mechanism BF and a rearward switch mechanism BR.

' netic actuating means therefor. The two motors A and B, which drive wheels at the opposite sides of the vehicle, have their fields Af and Bf respectively connected by conductors 9 and it, through heating elements li and i2 respectively, to the coil i a peak ilow overload mechanism and to the conductor 'l which may be connected by the contact element 5 of the main line switch with conductor 2. The armature Cc oi the reel driving motor `C and the shunt field Cf o the cable reel driving vmotor are connected through a conductor I5, a heating element it and the coil i3, also to the conductor l. The other connection from the armature Ca is connected through a resistance CR to the conductor 8. The other connection of the shunt field Cf is also to the conductor 8. The switch AF has an operating solenoid AFS, the

' switch AR, an operating solenoid ARS, the

i, those with the switches BF and BR being of the normally closed, quick opening type. As these pilot switches may assume numerous forms, and as the time delay effect may be secured by a wide variety of mechanisms, l have illustrated the pilot mechanisms in a simple manner and indicated by the letters TD the fact that two of these pilot mechanisms are of the delayed closure type. A delay on the order of half a second is illustrative of the delay desired. Suitable pilots are disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 701,956, now abandoned.

The conductor 2 is connected through a fuse it to a conductor 2i which is connectible by a normally closed, manually openable safe oil switch 22 with a conductor 23. This conductor branches, and one of its branches 2t leads to a contact 25 carried by a quick closing, normally open switch 26, which is adaptedto be closed when the main line switch c is closed. A manually operable main starting switch 2l is closable to connect theother branch it of the line 23 with a line 29 from which a number oi parallel conductors are led to various points of use. A conductor 3i! having between its ends a temperature controlled switch 3| governed by the heaters il, I2 and it and a switch 32 operated by the overload coil i3 leads to an operating solenoid 35 of the main ,line switch; and the other side of this solenoid 33 is connected by a conductor Srl to a conductor 3 5 which, through a fuse 36, is

connected to the main line conductor 3; When the pilot switch element 26 is moved to lclosed position, upon closing of the main line switch, it establishes a circuit in parallel withthe switch 2T between the conductors 24 and 29, through a conductor 31.

Provision is made to permit both of the motors A and B to be connected for forward operation or for rearward operation, and for both motors initially to be connected through a resistance 38 to the conductor 8, and for their subsequent connection, through a shuntingcircuit 40 having a switch 4| therein, to the conductor 8, to short circuit the resistance 3'8.

The cable reel driving motor C has, as has been previously noted, a resistance CR connected in series with its armature Ca between the conductors I5 and A8, and this resistance is adapted to be shorted out by a switch 43 and a conductor 44 when an operating coil 45 is energized.

A conductor 46 leads from the junction point of the conductors 34 and 35 to positions convenient for the establishment of a number of circuits through it.

It is desirable, as previously indicated, that whenever the cable is to be wound in by the reel driving motor C, the resistance CR, be shunted out, as will be effected by closure of switch 43, but that, when cable is to be pulled off of the reel, the switch 43 shall be opened and the torque of the motor be very substantially reduced by the cutting back in of the resistance CR. Accordingly, I have made provisions, which I shall shortly more fully explain, including a directional switch 50, two, herein foot operated, switch devices 5| and 52 and a switch 53 so connected with a vehicle wheel that whenever the vehicle commences to move, regardless of direction, the switch 53 will be closed.

The switch devices 5| and 52 each include a pair of contact elements connected for movement together. The contact elements of switch device 5| are designated 5IA and 5|B. Those of switch device 52 are designated 52A and 52B. The A switch element of each switch device closes before the B designated one, and opens after the B designated one opens. The A designated elements control the switch 43; the B designated ones control the propulsion motors.

While the propulsion arrangement is but illustrative, and other arrangements are within the scope of my invention as set forth in theA claims, I shall describe the mode of operation of the propulsion mechanism in further detail, since it is a good one, before describing further the control system for the switch 43.

The conductor 29 has a branch 60 adapted to be connected by the switch element 5|B with a conductor 6l. From this conductor 6|, a conductor (la leads to the operating coil AFS, and a conductor Gib leads to the operating coil BFS. These operating coils are connected together at their other ends by a conductor SZ which is connected by a further conductor 63 to the normally closed pilot switch PBR associated with the switch mechanism BR. Assuming that the switch 21 has been closed and that the main line switch is closed, and that the switch 5|B is closed, therewill then be established a circuit from the conductor 2 through the fuse 28, conductor 2|, normally closed switch 22, conductors 23 and 24, switch 26, conductors 3'| and 29, branch conductor 60, foot operated switch '5| B, conductor 6|, conductors 6|a and Sib to the operating coils AFS and BFS, and, in the case of switch '.AlifS,l through vthe further conductor 62, the conductor 63, through then closed pilot switch PBR, and through the conductor 46, conductor 35 and :fuse 36 back to the line 3. As aresult, the switches AF and BF will be closed and the motors A and B will be operated, by current which must pass through the resistance 38, to propel the vehicle in a forward direction, namely in a direction normally to make it necessary to pay out cable from the reel. As the switch 43 is closed at this time, the torque exerted by the motor C on the cable will be at full value, for the reason that current will flow through the armature Ca without having to pass through the resistance CR.

As soon `as the time delay pilot PAF closesa half a second or so after the switch device AF closes-current will pass from the conductor 6| through a portion of the conductor 6| b to a conductor G5, through the closed pilot switch PAF, a conductor 66 and a conductor 61 to the operating solenoid 68 of the switch 4| and close the latter, the other side of said solenoid 68 being connected by a conductor 68 to the return line 46. When the switch 4| is closed, the resistance 38 will be short-circuited and the motors A and B will drive the wheels of the vehicle at full speed.

It may be noted that the switch device 52 includes a switch element 52B which is adapted to establish a circuit between a conductor 'I0 branching off of the conductor 29 and a conductor 1| which has branches '||a and Illo leading respectively tothe operating coils ARS, BRS, and also a third branch 12 leading to the time delay pilot mechanism PAR which when closed is adapted to supply current through a connection 'I3 to the line 67 for the purpose of cutting out the resistance 38 after the motors A and B have been started and commenced to speed up in the reverse direction. From the solenoids ARS and BRS, connections 'I5a and 15b lead to a conductor 16 and through the normally closed pilot PBF and a conductor '|8 to the conductor 46. It is unnecessary to detail at length the starting and bringing up to speed of the propulsion motors A and B in a reverse direction, as this will be obviousV from what has already been described.

Again remembering that the reel driving motor C has power supplied to it with the current to its armature passing through the resistance CR as soon as the main line switch 4 .is closed, it will now be possible advantageously to consider the specic controls for the current supply to the winding `45, which winding when energized effects closure or the switch 43 and shunting of the resistance CR. Y

Switches 5| and 52, as previously indicated, include respectively contact elements 5|A and 52A which are adapted to be closed before the contact element 5|B and 52B close. Contact element 5|A is adapted to close a circuit between the conductor 29 and a branch conductor 8|, and a conductor 82, while contact element 52A is adapted to establish a circuit between the conductor 29 and a branch conductor 83, and a conductor 84. The conductors 82 and 84 join at 85 and are connectible by a conductor 86 with the directional switch 50. This directional switch includes a movable contact element 81 and a stationary contact 88, which contacts 81 and 88 are in contact with each other except when the reel is driven in -an unwinding direction. 'I'he stationary-contact 88 is connected by a conductor 89l accesso y with one .end of` the solenoid-A5,. while the other end of this solenoid is connected by a conductor 9.0 vwith the return conductor 46. .The directional switch 50 is connected inany suitable manner so asteA turn with the. reel land-is shown in Fig-2 as connected by a flexible .drive element 92 which may. take the form of a chain. The reel I is shown as driven by the motor `C by another ilexible drive member 93, but may obviously be conl nected .in any suitable manner. with the `motor C. vFrom the conductor 29. there /leadsanother branch conductor.' 95 which is connectible lbyV a switch element 96 with another conductor 91 whichleads .to and isr electrically connectedv .to the junction point 85. The switch element 961is controlled. by a device driven with the vehicle wheels in such .manner that whenever the wheels rotate the switch element 96 :will A.be-movedto closed position regardless of the .direction tof wheel rotation. In Fig. 2 a centrifugal device driven by an element whichrotates -with a vehiclewheelis shown tomake the modeof opera.- tionclear, this mechanism being. designated'fIIJ and illustrated as havingweighted armslIIlI drawn together by a spring |02 and rotated by an element |03 connected for rotation with avehicle wheel. vIt is not necessary that this Adevice shall be, however, centrifugally actuated, andan electrical device, designated III). in-'Figs 3.and 4, and of the general kind shown in the Owens Patent.2,141,2'18, may .advantageously be used by having the alternatively contacted stationary contacts connected .together and to t'hey conductor 91,and by having the reversely movablel contact of the vdeviceof the patent connected to the conductor95. Similarly, a device `ofthe general character of the Owens .device (seeFig. .5) may be employed as the .directional switch 50, .by causing the movable Contact normally to contact one of the stationary rcontacts and. to be. moved away from itv only .when the drivin-g .element is rotatedA in the direction. in which-motion would be imparted to it upon drive of the reel .I inthe unwinding direction.

As may be observedmore fully by reference to the Patent 2,141,278, the.devicesiillustratedin Figs. 3, 4 and.5. eachcomprisea shaft. III-whose rotation `is to effect the desiredcontact. The shaft III rotates a magnet II2 whichisenergized with permanent .north and ...south --poles diametricallyopposite to each otherwith respect to :theaXis of rotation.' A hollow. cupes'haped member I I3,v made .of magnetic material,4 is .also carried. by .the shaft: I I I. A. cylindrical, or. cupshaped armature memberlld, madeof electr cally conducting material. such. as aluminurm is arranged v to extend intov the. annular. spacev between the members I I2 and I I3. .Rotation of members .I I2 and. II3 cau-ses the armaturetl I4..to rotate, as far as permitted,.in thesamedirection as, the members turn. Armature member. I I4.is rotatably. supported and, is. connected to actuate a crank arm II5, carrying apinIIGwhich actuatesa switch element=ll1 in Fig. .4, vo1.;I31.-in Fig. 5. .The switch element is normallyftightly maintainedin a .given position, a central .posie tion between stationary contactsll. and I'IBin Fig. I4 and .against the stationary contact .88;in Fig. 5,.,when the shaft.- I II is stationary. This is accomplished by springv moved arms IJand I2! engaging a stationary pin I22 and: having the. pin- I I6 between thezn The switch-/ele-mentsfI I1 and B'I'Qarefcarried on'pivoted'arms I23Uand423 -re spectively and a camsslct` I-24 or; I 21V- inthe arm cooperates vviththepin-v to move theswite-hlelefment. In the :device of. Fig/1, actuated with` the vehicle wheels; the switch ismovedtowards and into contact with one=or-l theI other of the stationary-contacts H8 andf I I9, .depending on the direction of rotation offthe vehiclewheels; but as II8 and II9 are both connected to conductor 95,what results is that as soonv as .the vehicle wheels commence to turn and as long as they turn, the contact II1 closes the. circuit between the conductors-.95 and 91'. With respect to the device of iFig.f5, ,when the reelI isturned in an unwinding. .directiomf the circuit between 88 and 81 `is opened. When the reel is turned in the other direction, thef'normally closed circuit is simply maintained. If further details are desired, 'reference may be. had to'. the patent `men-r tioned.

' The mode of operation ofv the illustrative .embodiment ofthe-invention )may be now very quickly summarized. When the switch v21 is closed-the main lineswitchd will be closed, and it-willbe held closed by theholding circuit including the switch. 26 previously mentioned. The reel driving motor C will be energized andthe currentsupply to its armature .will be through its resistance CRso long.. as nothing. is. done to effect closure of. theswitch 43. yEven with the resistance CR .in seriesA with the armature of the motorrv C, however; there@ will be sufficient power to turn'the reel I ina winding in direction when winding in .of the cable is possible.

-Whenthe operator desires to propel the vehicle in va forward direction, he will movefthe switch device 5I toward theleft in Figp2. The contact element 5IAwil1 establish La circuit from line 2 through'fuse 20,. conductorfZIyswitch 22, conductor 23, conductor-.- 24, switch f 26,-conductor 31, conductor 29,- conductor 8l, switch. element 5IA, conductor 82, conductor 8,-.contacts 81 andil of the directional switch..50;.-conduc,tor v89...'solenoid 45 .conductorst'and 46,2 conductor '35, fuse- 36,v toline 3.A Accordingly, .before the vehicle starts to move,-the resistance will be shorted out, and full torque. appliedbyf'thereel driving motor C to the reely I, and allslack` will be taken up in therv cable. When the switch. .device-.5I i is. moved further, to the left; thevehicle Vwill be started and brought up: to speed inran obvious. manner. If the vehicle starts-tummelnthe .direction which will'require the cable :to be .wound up, the. directional switch-will-maintain the circuitfthrough it unbroken and the full torque of the reel driving motor willbe applied. If, however, as the vehicle startstomove, cable .must be pulled. 01T of the reel,v the directional. switch-will immediately be moved into a direction ,to move contact 81 away-from stationary Contact 88, and this ,will break the circuit through the solenoidd and-result in the cutting of the. resistance CR into cir- .cuit withthearmature motor C.

As soon `asthe vehicle started to Amiove,.the switch I9I-.-would.befclosed, `but this wouldhave no effecty on the' operation at this time because switchl EIA would` already beclosed.v :If the switch device yilbe. operated to eectrearward movement oft the Vehicle, operations willfoccur which willI be obvious from-the description given with respect. to theoperation of the switch device 5I; When thereel comes'to a stop after moving in a direction-to unwind cable, thedirectional switch will alreadybefin aposition so that the resistance. CR is in serieswith the motor armature Ca. IfthevehicleV comes toa stop after motion 'in 'a.direction -in which windingup -of the cable isnecessaryfth'e contact-81 will-be in engagement with the contact 88, but all of the feed circuits to the conductor BS will be open so that the solenoid 45 will be de-energized and the resistance CR will be in series with the motor armature Ca when the vehicle is stationary. If the vehicle be allowed to coast, the switch 96 will be closed regardless of whether the switch device l or the switch device 52 be in a closed position, and therefore if cable requires to be Wound on the reel, the resistance CR will be short-circuited and full torque delivered by the motor C, for the directional switch will be closed unless the reel is caused, by the pulling 01T of cable from it, to turn in a direction to open the directional switch.

From what has been said, it will be apparent that I have provided a very simple and effective control for the cable reels of Vehicles such as shuttle cars, mine locomotives, etc., that during the unwinding of cables, the torque exerted by the reel driving motor will be diminished, and whenever the reel driving motor is not driving the reel, heating oi its windings will be diminished, yet torque adequate to start the reel into motion in the event that slack is introduced into the cable will be present. The improved mechanism also includes means for cutting the resistance out of the circuit through the motor armature before'the propulsion motors are energized, and means operative, if the wheels of the vehicle turn, as due to coasting, when no power is being delivered under operator control to the -reel driving motor, for increasing the torque automatically whenever winding in operation is called for.

While I have in this application specically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A control system for a motor operating a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying electrical energy from an extraneous source to the vehicle, comprising a device operable to alter the torque of the cable reel motor and means for automatically controlling said torque altering device including a device responsive to vehicle motion along its path of travel and another and different device responsive to reel rotation, said device responsive to vehicle motion along its path of travel having positions for effecting high and low torque respectively and moved to its position for effecting high torque upon travel of said vehicle in either direction at any point in its path, and said device responsive to reel rotation controlling the effecting of high torque by said device responsive to vehicle motion and moved, upon reel rotation in an unwinding direction, to prevent such eifecting.

2. A control system for a motor operating a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying electrical energy from an extraneous source to the vehicle, comprising a device operabie to alter the torque of the cable reel motor and means for automatically controlling said torque altering device including a device responsive to vehicle motion along its path of travel and another and different device responsive to reel rotation and having a torque-transmitting connection with the reel by which its position is reversed as reel rotation is reversed, said device responsive to vehicle motion along its path of travel having positions for effecting high and low torque respectively and moved to its position for effecting high torque upon travel of said vehicle in either direction at any point in its path, and said device responsive to reel rotation controlling the effecting of high torque by said device responsive to vehicle motion and moved, upon reel rotation in an unwinding direction, to prevent such eiecting.

3. A control system for an electric torque motor operatively connected to a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying electrical energy from an extraneous source to the vehicle, including switch means movable to alter the armature current of the torque motor and automatic controlling and operating means for said switch means including a control device responsive to the direction of rotation of the cable reel and another control device responsive to the movement of the vehicle along its path of travel, said control device responsive to vehicle motion along its path of travel having positions for eiecting high and low torque respectively and moved to its position for effecting high torque upon travel of said vehicle in either direction at any point in its path, and said control device responsive to reel rotation controlling the effecting of high torque by said device responsive to vehicle motion and moved, upon reel rotation in an unwinding direction, to prevent such eiecting.

4. In a control system for a motor operating a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying electrical energy to the vehicle, on which vehicle there is provided switch means for controlling propulsion of the vehicle, means operable to alter the torque of the cable reel motor, and controlling means for said torque-altering means including a circuit having to control the saine switch means movable with said rst mentioned switch means and closing before the latter closes and means controlled by the bodily movement of the vehicle in either direction and at any point in its path of travel for establishing a circuit for said controlling means for said torque altering means in parallel with the circuit which includes said second mentioned switch means.

5. In a control s vstem for a motor operating a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying electrical energy to the vehicle, on which vehicle there is provided switch means for controlling propulsion of the vehicle, means operable to alter the torque of the cable reel motor, and controllinging means for said torque-altering means including a circuit having to control the same switch means distinct from but movable with said rst mentioned switch means and closing before the latter closes, and means controlled by the movement of the vehicle in its path, regardless of its direction of movement or location in its path, for establishing a circuit for said controlling means for said torque altering means in parallel with the circuit which includes said second mentioned switch means, each of said circuits having therein a further switch means governed by the direction of cable reel rotation.

6. A control system for a motor operating a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying elecvtrical energy to the vehicle, on which vehicle there is provided switch means for controlling propulsion of the vehicle, said control system including means operable to alter the torque of the cable reel motor, switch means movable with said rst mentioned switch means and other switch means automatically actuated by bodily motion of the vehicle in either direction and at any pointfinits travel, said second and third mentioned switch means respectively adapted to establish connections for `effecting operation of said torque-altering means to increase torque, the one when `said vehicle is in motion under power and the other when it is coasting, and means governed by the direction of reel rotation for interrupting the control of saidtorque-altering means bysaid second and third mentioned switch means when the direction of vehicle motion is lsuch as to require Aunwinding of cable from the reel. j

7.A control system vfor-a Vmotor operating a vehicle-'supported reel for a cable supplying electrical energy to the vehicle, which'vehicle'has control means for effecting selectively its forward and its rearward propulsion,` said control system including means operable to alter the torque of the cable reel motor,switch means operable upon the control of said vehicle to effect forward propulsion by power, switch meansoperable upon the control of said vehicle to effect rearward propulsion thereof' by power, each of ysaid switch meansfclo'sable before the application of power to. said vehicle to effect propulsion thereof, switch means governed by the direction of reel rotation, and means for connecting each of said iirst two switch means separately with said last mentioned switch means in circuit: with said torque altering means whereby said last mentioned switch means governsthe control -by each of the first twomentioned switch means of Asaid' torquealtering means.`

r8.v A control system fora motor operating a vehicle-supportedreel for a `cable supplying electrical energy to. the vehicle, lwhich vehicle has control *meansl for Aeifecting selectively its forward and its rearward propulsion, said control system including ymeans operable to alter the torque ofthe cable reel' motor, switch means operable upon the control of said vehicle. to effect forwardpropulsion by power, switch means operable upon the control of said vehicle to effect rearward propulsion thereof by power, each of said switch means closablefbefore the application of power toy said `vehicle to effect propulsion thereon-switch means having means for eiiecting closure thereof whenever said vehicle is in transit, switch meansfgoverned by `the `direction of reel rotation, and means forV connecting said several switch means with said torque altering means so. that eac-h of said iirstl three mentioned switch means completes a control for said torquealtering means and said last mentioned switch means governs thecontrol by eachof the rst three mentioned switch means, of said torquealtering means.

9. A coacting control system for a motor operating a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying energy toA a vehicle, comprising means operable to alter the torque of the cable reel motor, and means for controlling said last mentionedl means forincreasing the torque of said motor whenever the vehicle is `in motion in a direction` tov cali for winding in of the cable including a control device connected for operation directlyiroxn a -wheel of the vehicle.

10. A coacting control system fora motor operating a vehicle-supported reel for a cable supplying energy to the vehicle comprising means operable'to lalter the torque of the cable reel motor, and means for controlling said last mentioned means for increasing the torque of said motor whenever the vehicle is, in-motion in a direction to call forfwinding in' of thecable including a speed responsivel control device vin drivenrelation with a'wheel of the vehicle and rotated by torque transmitted thereto from such wheel irrespective of the direction of rotation of the latter.

11. In combination, a cable winding reel, a motor for' driving said reel to wind in cable rand driven backwards by said reel when cable is pulled on of the latter, power supply means for saidmotor, and means for increasing the torque exerted by said'motor when driving said reel in a winding direction and for `reducing the torque exerted by said motor when'it is driven backwards including an element movable to different positions to effect such changes in torque, an actuating member for said element, an element connected for rotation continuously with lsaid reel andirrespective of the direction of rotation of the latter, and means for effecting a slipping drag between said rotated element and said actuating member about a common axis.

l2. In a cable reeling mechanism, ya cable reel, a motor for driving said reel in winding `direction only, said reel as itis rotated in unwinding direction effectingdrive of said motor backwards, and means including a device responsive to the direction of vreel rotation and movable through a limited range between opposite stationary limit positions and actuated to such opposite limit positions by torque transmitted to it from the reel upon reversals of the rotation of the latter for automatically decreasing the motor torque lwhen the reel is rotating in unwinding direction.

13. In a cable reeling mechanism, a cable reel, a motor for driving said reel in Winding direction only, said reel as it isrotated in unwindingdirection effecting drive of said motor backwards, and means including a device responsive to the direction of reel rotation for Acausing said motor to exert a high torque duringfrotation of said reel in -winding vdirection and a lower torque during rotation of said reel in unwinding direction, said device having a part rotatable through a limited range between opposite stationary limit positions and connected with said reel so that said reel rotates said part as soon as it turnsfitself, and irrespective of its own direction of rotation, but oppositely during opposite directions of reel -rotation, and said device when actuated by reversal of the reel from winding to unwinding automatically decreasing the motor torque immediately said reel rotates in unwinding direction.

14. 1n a cable reeling mechanism, a cable reel, an electric torque motor for rotating said reel only in cable winding direction, said reel as'it rotates in unwinding direction effecting drive of said motor in the reverse direction, and means including a switch having an-operating element connected with said reel for the reception of torque from the latter, and automatically responsive to the direction of reel rotation for automatically maintaining high torque on said motor when the reel is not turning and also during rotation of the reel in winding direction and for substantially reducing the motor torque immediately the reel rotates in unwinding direction.

15. In a cable reeling mechanism mounted to move with a vehicle to which it supplies power medium for operating the vehicle, a cable'reel, a motor for driving said reel only in cable winding direction, said reel as Iit rotates in unwinding direction effecting drive of said motor backwards, and means for controllingl the torque exerted by said motor including control means, automatically responsive to vehicle movement in either 13 direction of travel of the vehicle and at any point in the path thereof, for maintaining, but subject to a further control governed by the direction of reel rotation, the motor torque at a value suited for rapid reeling, and a further control means automatically responsive to the direction of reel rotation for automatically effecting reduction of the motor torque when the motor is driven backwards by the reel.

16. In a cable reeling mechanism, a cable reel, an electric motor for driving said reel only in cable Winding direction, said reel as it rotates in unwinding direction effecting drive of said motor backwards, and controlling means for the torque exerted by said motor for automatically maintaining high torque on said motor during rotation of said reel in winding direction and also when said reel is stationary, including an electric switch automatically responsive to reel rotation and moved by said reel in one direction when said reel rotates in one direction .and in an opposite direction when said reel rotates in the other direction.

17'. In a' cable reeling mechanism movable with a. vehicle to which it supplies power medium for operating the vehicle, a cable reel, a motor for driving the reel in winding direction only and adapted to be driven backwards by the reel as Ycable is drawn o of the latter, and control means for the torque exerted by said motor ior maintaining high torque on the motor except when the reel is rotating in unwinding direction and for' then reducing the motor exerted torque, including a control device automatically controlled by vehicle movenient in either direction `along its path and another control device automatically responsive to the direction of reel rotation, said device controlled by vehicle motion having positions for `effecting high and low torque respectively and rnoved to its position for effecting high torque jupon travel of said vehicle in either direction at a ylf. point in its path, and said device autovrfrratically responsive to the direction of reel r ation controlling the effecting of high torque b id device responsive to vehicle motion and in lved, upon reel rotation in an unwinding dion, to prevent such eiecting.

JAMES W. WOOLF.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 821,317 Sessions May 22, 1906 1,150,911 Waxbom Aug. 24, 1915 1,843,743 Sha'er Feb. 2, 1932 2,141,278 Owens Dec. 27, 1938 2,359,123 Krapf Sept. 26, 1944 2,472,860 Russell June 14, 1949 

